Agricultural implement



Sept. 3, 1946.

F. L. DEwl-:Y

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Filed May 22) 1944 s sheets-sheet 1 sept. 3, 1946'.

F. L. DEWEY AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Filed May 22, l1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 3, 1946. F, 1 DEWEY- 2,407,064

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Filed May '22,' 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet'b ige/67261072:

Patented Sept. 3, 1946 AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Frederick L. Dewey, Canton, Ill., assignor to International Harvester of New Jersey Company, a corporation Application May 22, 1944, Serial No. 536,705

This inventionrelates to agricultural implements and particularly to implements adapted to Ee mounted upon a tractor to be supported there- An object of the invention is the provision of an improved plow.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved two-way plow.

Another object is the provision of a tractormounted two-way plow which is adapted to be 19 Claims. (Cl. 97-29) unit` I8 being left-hand plow bottoms, the two supported entirely by the tractor but which is stabilized from the ground.

A further object is to provide a novel tractormounted two-way plow which has free iloating movement when in operating position, and which is stabilized by gauge Wheels which are lifted above the ground when both of the plow units are in transport position, but which remain on the ground when either of the plow units is in operating position.

Other objects and advantages oi the invention will appear from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with. the accom-4 panying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of the rear end of a tractor, showing the plow of the present invention mounted thereupon;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the plow of the present invention with certain parts removed for clarity, and showing both plow units in transport position. l

In the drawings, it will be noted that the plow of the present invention is attached to a tractor generally indicated at I and having a longitudinally extending body portion II. The rear end of the tractor is supported by laterally spaced drive wheels I2 and |3mounted upon a transverse axle Ill journaled in a rear axle housing I5, which is provided at laterally spaced points with implement attaching structures I6.

The plow of the present invention includes a pair oi laterally spaced, longitudinally extending plow units I1 and I8, each being of substantially the same structure and comprising a pair of beams I9 and 20 separated and braced at their forward ends by a spreader member 2 I, which is a U-shaped member having a, transverse portion 22. Portions IS and 2i! are likewise connected and braced rearwardlyby a member 23. The rear ends of beams I9 and 2|! curve downwardly and are provided at their lower ends with plow bottoms 2li, the plow bottoms onthe right-hand unit Il being right-hand plow bottoms and those on plow units Il and I8 ,thus being designed for alternate operation. This arrangement permits the plow to traverse a eld in opposite directions and to open adjacent furrows.

The forward ends of plow units Il and i3 are connected to a hitch structure generally indicated at 25.` This structure includes a transversely extending sleeve member 26, the opposite ends of which are hollow and receive therein the transversely extending portion of crank axles 21, each said crank axle having an inturned stub portionupon which is mounted a gauge wheel 28. Each end of the sleeve member 25 is provided with a standard 29 weldingly securedthereto and bent at its upper end to provide an apertured ear 30 to receive therein for axial rotation the shaft .portion of a crank 3|. Crank 3| is threaded at its lower end for insertion in a correspondingly threaded sleeveA 32, the lower end of which is provided with a hoo-k 33 for engagement with a lug 34 on the crank axle 2l at a point near the axis of the gauge wheel 28. Provision is made against lateral sliding movement of the wheel 28 by a clip 35 fastened to standard 29 and spaced 'therefrom by a collar 36, keyed to the transverse portion of crank arm 21. Thus, by turning the crank 3|, it should be clear that the gauge wheel 28 may be swung vertically about the sleeve member 26 as an axis to vary the vertical position of the wheel for changing depth of plowing or for leveling the plow.

Connection of the plow units Il and I8 to the `sleeve member 26 is made by means of a structure comprising laterally spaced pairs of radially projecting, circumierentially displaced lugs 3l and 33. These lugs are apertured to receive a pin 39 upon which is pivotally mounted a U- shaped member 49 having a transverse portion 4|, which, due to the circumferential displacement of lugs 31 and 38, occupies a position at a maybe varied by suitable mechanism, not shown,

to level the plow units. v

Likewise projecting from sleeve member 2t are forwardly projecting lugs 43 to which are pivotally attached the laterally spaced arms of a forwardly extending U-shaped hitch arch M having a transverse portion 45. Openings 56 in transverse portion 45 provide for the attachment at laterally selected points of spaced clevises l1 for lateral pivotal movement. Clevises 41 comprise vertically spaced elements 48 and 49, the rear ends of which are pivoted upon pins V58 each inserted in one of the openings 4G. The elements 48 and $9 straddle a transverse draft bar 5I, and their forward ends are spaced by a roller 52 having a grooved surface adapted to t the contour of the draft bar 5I. Likewise connected to the upper portion of the clevises 41 is a transverse strap 53 having a number of apertures therein for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

Draft bar 5| is provided at its ends with upwardly extending arms 54 and downwardly extending arms 55. To the upper end of each arm 54 is pivotally connected a rearwardly extending hitch strap 55, the rear end of which is attached by a bolt 5? to an angle member 58 having openended slots in the upper and lower edges thereof for the reception of bolts 59, pivotally mounted upon the tractor attaching structure I6, as clearly viewed in Figures 1 and 3. Hitch structure 55 is protected against vertical stress by an upstanding strap Sil secured to the hitch strap 55, and having at its upper end an open-ended slot for the reception of a bolt 6l projecting from the side of the tractor, the hitch straps 56 on both sides of the tractor being similarly attached.

Near its rear end each strap 55 is provided with a downwardly and inwardly bent extension 82, the extensions 62 on opposite sides of the center line of the tractor being connected by a supporting member 63 having laterally spaced, upwardly extending ears 54 for a purpose hereinafter set forth. Flexibility is imparted to the plow hitch by means of a spring member 65 comprising a guide rod 65, the forward end of which is connected to the depending end of arm 55 and the rear end of which is inserted for sliding movement in a swivel member 61 extending between the extension G2 of strap 55 and ear 54 of supporting member 53. Guide rod 56 is surrounded by a spring 88 abutting against the swivel 51 at one end and a collar S9 at the other.

It should now be understood that the hitch structure 25, including the straps 55 and the angle members 58, is part of the plow structure, and that the plow is readily attached to the tractor simply by fitting the slots in the angle members 53 and straps 50 over the bolts 55 and 5I, respectively. Thus the plow is likewise readily removed from the tractor as a unit.

Also attached to the angle member 58 by bolts 18 are laterally spaced standards 1I, having at their upper ends rearwardly bent portions having openings at their ends adapted to receive the ends of a transverse rock-shaft 12. This rock-shaft 12 is journaled in the brackets 1| and is provided adjacent its ends with laterally spaced sleeves 13. These sleeves are held against lateral displacement on the shaft 12 by collars 1d. Secured to sleeves 13 are lifting arms 15, which extend upwardly and rearwardly and are provided at their upper ends with pivot members 18 having attached thereto chains 11, the lower ends of which are attached to brackets 18 on the respective beams 28 of the plow units I1 and I8. Arms 15 thus have rocking movement about the shaft 12 to raise and lower the plow units. Rocking of the arms 15 for vertically moving the plow units is eifected by means of connecting rods 19 vand 18a,

the rear ends of these rods being pivotally connected to extensions 8i) on arms 15 and the forward ends of these rods being connected respectively to power lift arms BI and 82. Power lift arms 8| and 82 are independently mounted on the tractor for rocking movement, and power for effecting rocking movement thereof is supplied by a power-lift mechanism not shown, of suitable form, deriving power from the tractor. Movement of these arms independently is initiated by levers 83 and 8i'. mounted on a quadrant 85 on the stearing post 85 of the tractor, the levers being accessible to a tractor operator from his seat 81.

In Figures 1 and 2, the plow of the present invention is shown with the right-hand plow unit I1 raised to transport position, while plow unit I8 is in plowing position. Figure 3 shows the plow with both units raised to transport position. It will be noted that in Figure 3, the gauge wheels 28 are shown lifted from the ground with the working tools, while in Figures 1 and 2, wherein one of the plow units is operating, both of the wheels 28 are in contact with the ground. This is made possible through a mechanism comprising chain 88 having one end attached to one of the arms 15 on the left side of the tractor and the other end attached to the arm 15 on the right side of the tractor. Chain 88 is thus continuous between the arms 15 and extends downwardly and is passed around laterally spaced idler rollers 89, each of which is mounted for rotation in a pulley block 9U attached to the inner surface of the beam 20 adjacent its forward end. rhe upper ends of the chain 88 are flexibly connected to the arms 15 by the interposition of springs 8l. Thus in Figure 3, with both of the plow units in raised position, the arms 15 extend almost vertically upwardly, the chain 88 is taut, and the front ends of the plow units, and therefore transverse member 26 carrying the gauge wheels 28, are likewise lifted off the ground. On the other hand, when one of the plow units is in operating position, as is always the case when the plow is operating, the position of one of the arms 15 is considerably lower, as may be seen in Figure l, and no lifting effect is applied to the forward ends of the plow beams, slack being introduced into the chain 8S. Therefore, both of the wheels 28 serve to gauge each plow unit as it is placed in operation, and when both of the plow units are raised above the ground for transport purposes the gauge wheels 28 are likewise lifted. Free vertical floatingV movement of the operating unit, it may be noted, is imparted thereto by the introduction of slack in the chains 11 by which the plow units are connected to the lifting arms Adjustment of the gauge wheels 2S to vary the operating depth of the tools, as pointed out before, is accomplished by means of crank 5|.

In operating a two-way plow, it is well known that under many conditions it is necessary to shift the hitch point of the plow en the tractor. The connection of the hitch arch fifi to the draft bar 5I for lateral movement has already been described. The mechanism by which this lateral shifting is accomplished includes a quadrant 92 having a level` 93 adapted to move th ereover, and pivoted at Sli upon an extension of the angle member 58. The usual detent mechanism 85 is provided for engagement in notches 85 in the quadrant. The lower end of the lever 93, projecting beyond the pivot 55, is connected by a forwardly extending rod 51 to one arm 98 of a bell-crank 99 pivoted at I 88 upon a bearing member l 8i secured to the `lrft-hand strap 55. Another arm 52 of bell-crank 99 is provided atits end with an opening for the connection of a link |03, which extends laterally and is bent at one end for insertion in one or more openings |04 in the member 53. rIhus` movement of lever 93 over the quadrant 92, acting through bell-crank 99, laterally moves the-hitch arch 44 to bring the operating plow unit into proper plowing position with respect` to? the tractor. It will also be noted that this lever and quadrant arrangement is a part of the plow structure and is detachable therewith from the tractor. Detachment of the entire implement from the tractor requires merely the disengagement of the connecting rods 19 and 19a, and the angle members 58 and straps 60.

Having now described the invention, it should be` understood that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: f`

1. In a tractor-mounted two-way plow having Working units adapted -for alternate operation,v lifting means for vertically moving the working units independently between operating and transport positions, a ground-contacting gauge wheel associated with each said unit, means for vertically adjusting each said gauge wheel withrespect to its associated workingunt to vary the depth of operation thereof, and connecting means between said lifting means and said gauge wheels effective to remove both said gauge wheels from contactl with the ground when both said units are raised to transport position, butineifective to remove said gauge wheels from the ground when either of said units'is in operating position.

2. In a tractor-mounted two-way plow having working units adapted for alternate operation, lifting meansfor vertically moving the working units independently between operating and transport positions, means permitting ifree iioating movement of the operating working unit, a ground-contacting gauge wheel associated A with each said unit, means for vertically adjusting each said gauge wheel with respect to its associated working unit to vary the depth of operation thereof, and connecting means between said liftingmeans and said gauge wheels effective to remove both said gauge wheels from contact with the ground when both `said` units are raised to transport position; but ineffective to remove said gauge wheels from the ground when either of said units is in operating position. l

l3. The combination with a tractor of a directconnected two-way plow comprising laterally spaced longitudinally extending earth-working units adapted for alternate operation, lifting means deriving kpower from the tractor for vertically moving said working units independently between operating and transportr positions, including means permitting free floating movement of the operating working unit, ground-contacting wheels for supporting the operating working unit in its working position, and connecting means between said lifting means and said working units elfective to raise said supporting wheels out of ContactI with the ground when both said units are lifted to transport position, but ineifective to raise said supporting wheels when either of said units is in operating position.

4. The combination with a tractor of a directconnected two-way plow comprising laterally spaced longitudinally extending vearth-working unitsv adapted for alternate operation, lifting means deriving power from the tractor for vertically moving .said working units independently between operating and transport positions, ncluding means permitting free floating movement of the operating working unit, ground-contacting wheels for supporting the operating working unit in its working position, and rope and pulley means connecting the lifting meansA for each said unit ,with said supporting wheels and ineffective to raise said supporting wheels during alternate operation of saidunits, but effective to raise said supporting wheels when both said units are lifted totransport position.

`5..'Thecombination with a tractor of a directconnectedv two-way plow comprising laterally spaced longitudinally extending earth-working units adapted for alternate operation, longitudinally extending hitch means connected at its forward end to the tractor. for vertical pivotal movement, means pivotally connecting the forward ends of said working units to the rear end of said hitch means for relative vertical movement, lifting means deriving power from the tractor for verticallyk moving said working units independently between operating and transport positions including means permitting free oating movement of the operating working unit, laterally spaced `ground-contacting gauge wheels supporting the rear end `of said hitch means, means for vertically adjusting said gauge wheels with respect to said workingunits, and means operatively connecting said lifting means and said gaugewheels for raising said wheels outof contact with the ground when both of said units are lifted to transport position, said connecting means being inoperative to raise said wheels when either of saidunits is in operating position.

6. 'I/'he combination with a tractor of a directconnected two-way plow comprising laterally `spaced longitudinally extending earth-working units adapted for alternate operation, longitudinally extending hitch means connected at its forward end to the tractor for vertical pivotal movement, means pivotally connecting the forward ends offsaid working units to the rearend of said hitchrmeans for relative vertical movement, lifting means deriving power from the tractor for vertically moving said working units independently between operating and transport positions including means permitting free fioating` movem'entofthe operating working unit, and connecting means between said lifting means randthe rear end of said hitch means for vertically 'pivoting said hitch means simultaneously with Vthe lifting of both of said working units, said connecting means being ineffective to pivot said hitch means when either of said units is inoperating position.

'7. 'Ihe combination with a tractor of a directconnected two-way plow comprising longitudinallyV extending hitch means connected at its forward end to the tractor for vertical pivotal movement and having a, transverse member at the rear end thereof, a gauge wheel supported at each end of said member, means for independently vertically adjusting said wheels, laterally spaced longitudinally extending earth-working units adapted for alternate operation, and means pivotally connecting the forwardends of both said `units to said transverse member forvertical movement.

, 8.` The combination with a tractor of a directconnected two-way plow comprising longitudinally extending hitch means connected at `its forward 'fend to the tractor for verticalfpivotal movement .and having atransverse member at 7 the rear end thereof, a gauge wheel 'supported at each end of said member, means for independently vertically adjusting said wheels, laterally spaced longitudinally extending earth-working units adapted for alternate operation, means pivotally connecting the forward ends of both said units to said transverse member for vertical movement, and lifting means deriving power from the tractor for vertically moving said working units independently between operating and transport positions, including means permitting free floating movement of the operating working unit.

9.l In combination with a tractor of a directconnected two-way plow comprising longitudinally extending hitch means connected at its forward end to the tractorforf vertical pivotal movement and having a transverse member at the 4rear end thereof, a gauge wheelsupported at each end of said member, means for independently vertically adjusting said wheels, laterally vspaced longitudinally extending earth-working units adapted for alternate operation, means pivotally connecting the forward ends of said units .to said transverse member for vertical movement, lifting means deriving power from the tractor for vertically moving said working units independently between operating and transport positions, including means permitting free floating movement of the operating working unit, and connecting means between said lifting means and said transverse ymember effective to raise said gauge .wheels out of contact with the ground when both said'units are lifted to transport position, but ineffective to raise said wheels when either of said units is in operating position, whereby both of said wheels serve as gauge means for the working unit in operating position.

l0. A unitary plow and hitch assembly for direct connection to a tractor to be supported thereby, comprising a hitch structure, a longitudinally extending tool-carrying frame pivoted at its forward end to said hitch structure for vertical movement, a gauge wheel on said hitchfstru; ture adjacent the connection of said frame thereto, means on said hitch structure for vertically adjusting said gauge wheel, a shaft on said hitch structure, a rock arm on said shaft, lifting connections between said yrock arm and said toolsupporting frame, and bolt and slot means fo-r quick-attachably connecting saidlhitch structure to a tractor.

.11..A unitary plow and hitch assembly for direct connection to a tractor to be supported thereby, comprising a hinged hitch structure including a stationary portion having means for the attachment thereof to a tractor and a vertically swinging portion, a longitudinally extending tool-carrying frame pivotally attached at its forward end to the free end of said vertically swinging portion for vertical movement with respect thereto, means mounted on said stationary portion for laterally adjusting said swinging portion with respect to said stationary portion, a, shaft on said stationary portion, a rock arm on said shaft, and lifting connections between said rock arm and said tool-supporting frame.

12. A unitary plow and hitch assembly for direct connection to a tractorto be .supported thereby, comprising a hinged vhitch structure including a stationary portion having means for the attachment thereof to a tractor and a vertically swinging portion, a longitudinally extending tool-,carrying frame pivotally attached at its forward end to the free end of said vertically swinging portion for Vertical movement with respect thereto, means mounted on said stationary portion for laterally adjusting said swinging p0rtion with respect to said stationary portion, a shaft on said stationary portion, a rock arm on said shaft, lifting connections between said rock arm and .said tool-supporting frame, groundcontacting gauge means on said hitch structure adjacent the connection of said frame thereto, and means on the swinging portion of said hitch structure for vertically adjusting said gauge wheel relative to said tool-supporting frame.

13. In an agricultural implement adapted for connection to a tractor, in combination, a longitudinally extending hitch structure pivoted at its forward end to the tractor for vertical movement, a tool-supporting structure pivoted to the rear portion of said hitch structure for vertical movement relative thereto, ground contacting means supporting the forward end of said toolsupporting structure, lift mechanism on the tractor, means connecting the lift mechanism t0 the tool-supporting structure for vertical movement thereof, and separate means operatively connecting said lif-t mechanism to said ground contacting means for effecting movement thereof with said tool-supporting structure when the latter is raised to transportposition,

14. In an agricultural implement adapted for connection to a tractor, in combination, a longitudinally extending hitch structure pivoted at its forward end to the tractor for vertical movement, a tool frame pivoted to the rear end of said hitch structure on a transverse axis for vertical movement `relative thereto, lcrank axles pivoted on the pivot a-xis of said tool frame to said hitch structure, laterally spaced gauge wheels on said crank axles, means on said tool frame for adjusting the vertical position vof said gauge wheels, lift mechanism on the tractor, means connecting the lift mechanism to the tool frame for pivotal-movement thereof about said pivot axis, and means operatively connecting said lift mechanism to said gauge wheels for effecting movement thereof with said too-l frame when the latter is raised to transport position.

l5. In an agricultural `implement adapted for connection to a tractor or the like, a longitudinally extending hitch structure ypivoted at its forward end to the tractor for vertical movement, a too-l-supporting structure pivoted to the rear end of said hitchstructure for vertical movement relative thereto, said tool supporting structure including independently operable units, one of which is placed in operating position while the other is inoperative, ground-contacting wheel means supporting the forward end of said toolsupporting structure, independently operable lift mechanisms on Ithe Atractor connected to said units for effecting independent vertical movement thereof to transport position, and separate means connecting said llift mechanisms to the forward end of said tool supporting structure adjacent its pivot axis and operative tto raise Ithe front end of said tool-supporting structure when both said units are lifted to transport position, but inoperative to raise the front end of said tool-supporting structure when either of said units is in operating position. y

16. In a two-way plow adapted for connection to a tractor, in combination, a pair of longitudinally extending independently operable plow units pivoted at their forward ends for vertical movement between operating and transport positions, draft lmeans connecting the front ends of said units, laterallv spaced gaugewheels supporting the front ends of said units, independently operable lift mechanisms on the tractor, means connecting said lift mechanisms to the respective plow units for independent pivotal movement thereof, means operatively connecting both of said lift mechanisms to said gauge wheels for vertical movement thereof with the plow units when the latter are both raised to transport position, said last mentioned connecting means being so arranged as to be ineifective to raise the gauge wheels when only one of said units is raised to transport position.

17. In a two-way plow adapted for connection to a tractor, in combination, a pair of 1ongitudinally extending, independently operable plow units pivoted at their forward ends for vertical movement between operating and transport positions, draft means connecting the front ends of said units, laterally spaced gauge wheels supporting the front ends of said units, independently operable lift mechanisms on the tractor, means connecting said lift mechanisms to the respective plow units for independent pivotal movement thereof, means operatively connecting both of said lift mechanisms to said gauge wheels for vertical movement thereof with the plow units when the latter are both raised to transport position, said last mentioned connecting means being such that both of said gauge wheels remain upon the ground in gauging relation to the o-perating plow unit, and are raised only when both plow units are lifted to transport position.

13. In a two-way plow adapted for connection to a tractor, a pair of longitudinally extending independently operable plow units pivoted at their forward ends for vertical movement between operating and transport positions, draft means connecting the front ends of said units, laterally spaced gauge wheels supporting the front ends of said units, independently operable lift mechanisms on the tractor including laterally spaced arms pivoted on'the tractor for vertical movement, means connecting said lift arms to the respective plow units for independent pivotal movement thereof, flexible means connecting said lift arms. means slidably connecting said flexible means with said draft means for lifting said gauge wheels when both said plow units are raised `to transport position, said lifting mechanism being ineffective to lift said gauge wheels when either of said units is in operating position.

i9. In a two-way plow adapted for connection to a tractor, a pair of longitudinally extending independently operable plow units pivoted at their forward ends for vertical movement between operating and transport positions, draft means connecting the front ends of said units, laterally spaced gauge wheels supporting the front ends of said units, independently operable lift mechanisms on the tractor including laterally spaced arms pivoted on the tractor for vertical movement, means connecting said lift arms to the respective plow units for independent pivotal movement thereof, a cable extending between said arms and depending therefrom, pulley means adjacent the front ends of said units ar- 30 ranged to slidingly receive the intermediate portion of said cable and suspend the front ends of said units with the associated gauge wheels above the ground when both said plow units are in transport position, sufficient `slack being introduced in said cable when either of said units is in operating position to permit said gauge Wheels to rest upon the ground.

FREDERICK L. DEWEY. 

